Chipmunk with colitis

Re: Chipmunk with colitis

Joyce Whitehead — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:53:59 GMT

Thanks Mark, we'll start with the doxycycline and dietary changes and I will see if the owner will agree to further investigations, Rosie the chipmunk is not easy to handle, and indeed apparently spent half an hour behind a radiator at her last veterinary practice, so it depends on how the owner will feel about GA I guess.

Not sure if I am confident enough with the blood samples but we will see!

Thanks again for the help.

Re: Chipmunk with colitis

Mark Rowland — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:15:14 GMT

Ok so I would cut out the fruit and consider starting a drug such as doxycycline at 5mg/ kg q 24 hr. it sounds as if there may be some proliferative bowel disease here so if I had free rein I would consider radiography and ( here is where the app comes into its own ) a blood sample if you are brave enough. The app shows cvc sampling in a hamster and a 22g mouse so it's the same really as these video clips. I know the temptation is to reach for the steroids but I would hold fire until all the fresh stuff is out of the diet and stay on the metacam/probiotics a little longer. Re the blood you can take 0.5-1 ml/100g (0.5-1%bw) and collect into heparin, rads will show if those intestines are thickened Good luck

Re: Chipmunk with colitis

Joyce Whitehead — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:17:46 GMT

Currently on Supreme rat biscuits (which she hates and doesn't eat much of) and a mixture of seeds and nuts that the owner buys, with fresh food additives such as grapes and other dried fruit. Doesn't like mealworms, has a sweet tooth. The faeces is still dark green/brown, extremely smelly, sometimes with mucous, occasional blood spots, looks quite "undigested"/fibrous.

Sorry, may not be too helpful!

Re: Chipmunk with colitis

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:10:58 GMT

What about a teeny tiny bit of Salazopyrin infant suspension?

Re: Chipmunk with colitis

Mark Rowland — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:07:28 GMT

Hi how is the chippie doing wrt faeces now? Can you get the owner to provide you with a complete diet sheet. Tell her you won't be judgmental if she is honest!!!! Don't tell her that I might be ;-)

Re: Chipmunk with colitis

Joyce Whitehead — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:57:10 GMT

Finally got a faecal swab and sample, no protozoa to see on a wet prep, sent to lab and no significant growth of pathogens found, negative for salmonella and campylobacter.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Re: Chipmunk with colitis

Joyce Whitehead — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:24:36 GMT

Thank you Mark, great quick reply! I'll try to get a faecal sample, owner ringing me in a few days with a progress report so probably start of the week before I get that in (weekend off for me). Really like the app, it is very helpful, and I have recommended it to friends with iphones too.

Re: Chipmunk with colitis

Mark Rowland — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:14:40 GMT

P.S. glad you like the App it's selling in Korea and Taiwan!!!!!!!!!!!! Rumour has it it will be on a Korean test satellite next, here's hoping ;-)

Re: Chipmunk with colitis

Mark Rowland — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:10:59 GMT

Good grief,I'll try to get them in for the first update...... Repeat the faecal, I would do a direct wet prep to look for motile Protozoa under high power and send some for culture. Then metacam (1mg/kg bid) and probiotics (avipro) unless faecal results dictate otherwise. Post the faecal results when you get them. It's worth doing a culture to rule out potential nasties.... Goodluck